9 Free Apps You Can Use to Listen to Your Favorite Podcasts

Podcasts are a popular source of entertainment and information. If you want to get into the hype, here are a few ways to listen to them.

Podcasts seem to be taking the world by storm. Everyone's either a listener, a creator, or both, and that's hardly a surprise. It's because they are pretty consumable—you can play them in the background while you do other things or actively listen to them.

It's only natural that many have recognized the sensation of podcasts and have begun offering a way to consume that content on their platforms. So, let's look at some of the best places to find and consume podcasts for free.

1. Spotify

Let's start with the obvious—Spotify. This app offers more than endless music; you can also find all the podcasts you can dream of and then some.

And, don't worry, it's all in the same app. You don't have to leave the app if you want to switch between listening to tunes or a murder mystery podcast of your choosing.

Spotify is free to download, but there is a paid version. It's called Spotify Premium, and it will cost you $9.99 for a monthly subscription.

Download: Spotify for Android | iOS | macOS | Windows (Free, subscription available)

2. Google Podcasts

Google Podcasts is among the best podcast-specific services.

It offers an extensive catalog boasting podcasts of every imaginable category. You can get recommendations and easily track your listening history, downloads, and subscriptions. Thus, making it easier to find the next episode and continue where you left off before.

It also allows you to queue up episodes so that you can listen through them without any lulls or interruptions of any kind.

Google Podcasts is free to download.

Download: Google Podcasts for Android | iOS (Free)

3. Amazon Music

Amazon Music is another two-in-one service that bundles music and podcasts. It offers a whopping catalog of over 50 million songs and 70,000 shows to browse. The app is free to download, but if you want an ad-free experience, it costs $9.99/month.

A key thing to note is that even if you're an Amazon Prime member, the Amazon Music service still costs extra. It doesn't come included with Prime membership.

Download: Amazon Music for Android | iOS (Free, subscription available)

4. Stitcher

Stitcher is a space dedicated to podcasts. It allows you to queue up and rearrange episodes you're interested in listening to in the order you wish to consume them.

And, it lets you listen via any device you have: on iOS, Android, its Web player, Apple Carplay, Android Auto, Alexa devices, and that's not even the end of it. It's convenience at its finest.

Stitcher is free to download, but if you want to avoid ads, you can get the Stitcher Premium experience for $4.99/month or $34.99/year. Before you commit to a plan, though, you can take advantage of its seven-day free trial.

Download: Stitcher for Android | iOS (Free, subscription available)

5. PlayerFM

PlayerFM is a podcast-centered platform that allows you to listen to anything you choose, either by streaming or downloading it. It offers a library of over 20 million podcasts and videos, so you're not likely to get bored quickly.

PlayerFM is free to download. However, if you wish to avoid getting ads, you can get a Premium Subscription. It sets you back $3.99 for a monthly subscription and $39.99 for a yearly one.

Of course, you're free to cancel anytime, and you can enjoy a seven-day free trial to give you a taste of the service and if you like it.

Download: PlayerFM for Android | iOS (Free, subscription available)

6. Castbox

Castbox is a dedicated podcast platform. It allows you to enjoy podcasts either by streaming or downloading them.

It offers an extensive library and a ton of variety in categories. You can browse through a catalog of millions of options and listen to what you choose on any device: Android, iPhone, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Carplay, and Android Auto.

You can enjoy Castbox for free or subscribe to a Premium plan for an ad-free experience. Several paid options are available, and prices start at $0.99/month.

Download: Castbox for Android | iOS (Free, subscription available)

7. Pocket Casts

Pocket Casts is an easy-to-use podcast-specific platform.

It works well with smart speakers, so if you have Sonos or Alexa ones at home, you can enjoy your podcast around the house with no problem.

It also has excellent filters you can manage and find exactly what you're looking for, simple and easy. There are filters like Top Casts, Morning Run, and Daily Grind. So, whatever you're doing, the platform will help you find an appropriate podcast to enjoy. You can even create custom filters.

Pocket Casts is free, but it also offers the Pocket Casts Plus service that grants certain perks to members. Plus subscribers get access to desktop apps, cloud storage, new themes, and more. The Pocket Casts Plus offers a monthly, $0.99, or yearly, $9.99, subscription. There's also a 14-day free trial you can try out and see if the service is a fit.

Download: Pocket Casts for Android | iOS (Free, subscription available)

8. YouTube

YouTube is somewhat of an unconventional space to look for podcasts, but it's positively full of them. The platform may be considered mainly a place for video content, but many creators upload their podcasts on it, too.

YouTube is completely free and lets you enjoy music, videos, podcasts, and it's an awesome free option to get your podcast fix. It does offer a paid version, YouTube Premium, that comes with a few perks, among which is no ads. It costs $11.99 per month, and a one-month free trial is available.

Download: YouTube for Android | iOS (Free, subscription available)

9. Audible

Audible is a great place to find podcasts, among other goodies.

You can download Audible free-of-charge and listen to the free podcasts to your heart's content. You don't need to get a subscription to enjoy them. However, it's worth considering an Audible Plus membership.

You'll get some nice perks if you subscribe to Audible Plus, including access to audiobooks and Audio Originals. The entire Audible Plus Catalog will be at your disposal, and it's pretty extensive. The membership costs $7.95/month, and you can cancel anytime. There's even a 30-day free trial.

Download: Audible for Android | iOS (Free, subscription available)

Take It a Step Beyond Listening, and Start Creating Podcasts

Podcasts are an excellent way to pass the time. They're super easy to consume, and you choose exactly how to consume them.

You can play one that doesn't require your undivided attention and listen to it as background noise. Or, you can find one that makes it so you can't stop listening. Whichever option you go with, there are many places you can browse for your next find—places that won't cost you.

But you don't only have to stop at consuming podcasts. Why not try your hand at making one? There are so many resources online you can turn to for help on your new journey. So why not undertake a podcasting adventure?